Library Expansion

From the Wheeling Intelligencer 31 May 2002 BIDS AWARDED FOR BROOKE LIBRARY EXPANSION

Plans for the expansion of the Brooke County Public Library in Wellsburg as finalized Tuesday (28th) when the bid was awarded for construction of Phase I of the project. The Brooke County Public Library board of directors approved the bid of $482,300 from Harry Trushel Construction Co. of Weirton, which was the lowest of five companies bidding. Ground-breaking for Phase I will be held Monday at 12:30 .p.m. The board met with Terry Shannon, an architect with MacLachlan, Cornelius and Filow Architects of Pittsburgh; Steve Martino, chairman of the library expansion committee; and Ruth Lewis, president of the Friends of the Brooke County Library. Elmer Vincent, president of the library board of directors, said he is happy the work will be done by local contractors. "We interviewed the two lowest bidders," Vincent said, "and the board unanimously decided on Trushel Construction, considering the many jobs they've completed in the Northern Panhandle". He said one of the main incentives the board had for selecting Trushel was that the choice will produce work for companies in the area. "We felt that was a large factor in our decision" Vincent explained. He said Trushel Construction expects to complete the project in 190 days, adding that's good news to Brooke County Public Library Director Mary Kay Wallace. "I'm looking forward to the ground breaking," Wallace said. She gave a breakdown of the money already committed to the project, which includes $250,000 through a Governor's Partnership grant, $150,000 through Legislative Digest funding, $150,000 through private fund-raising and $100,000 through the Brooke County Public Library Fund, which includes bequests and investments. The cost of Phase I is estimated at $500,000 and includes work on a 4,200 square foot addition to the library located at 945 Main Street, Wellsburg. Phase II will be a renovation of the main building which was built 30 years ago and is estimated at $350,000. When completed, the library will provide additional space for children's programs, a genealogy department literacy tutoring and expansion of computer services Other bids for Phase I of the tutoring project included John Russell Construction of Steubenville, $796; Lombardi Development of Follansbee, $558,340; Walters Construction of Wheeling, $542.733; and Bedway Development of Belmont, Ohio $483,170

Cornerstone Ceremony for Library Expansion

This is the story from the “News and Views” Brooke County Public Library and Follansbee Branch August 2002From the director: (Mary Kay Wallace)

The most impressive ceremony that I have ever witnessed in a small town community was the laying of the library’s cornerstone by members of the Wellsburg Masonic Lodge No. 2 A.F. & A.M., on Saturday, July 20, 2002. ( 1) Bagpiper William D. Mushet, Past Master, led the procession and was attired in full Scottish regalia. ( 2) Sounds of the pipes resonated throughout the town which heightened the anticipation of the occasion by local citizens. Masons dressed in dark suits with Masonic aprons, marched in procession from the Masonic Lodge on Charles Street to the site of the library’s new addition at 1:30 p.m. ( 3) The formal ceremony included the processional, led by the Most Worshipful Gary L. Gilkeson, Grand Master, Grand Lodge A. F. & A.M. of West Virginia. There was a sense of awe as citizens observed this significant event. ( 4) Local Masons, The Honorable Frank Joseph Haas, Past Master, was Master of Ceremonies ( 5) In his opening comments, he delivered a brief history of the Masons and the Laying of the Cornerstone. Judge Hass also described highlights of the ceremony and the importance of the gathering. `A special platform was built ( 6) at the site of the ceremony for the actual laying of the cornerstone. Masons throughout the States of West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania were in attendance. ( 7) Placed on a nearby table were the implements for testing the stone, the various elements for consecration, and a time capsule. Contents of the time capsule came from the Brooke County Public Library and Follansbee Branch, community organizations, local and state officials and the Masons. Festivities included the Wellsburg Christian Church Choir ( 8), under direction of Toni Taylor, with Jo Ann DeWitt, ( 9) accompanist, singing a beautiful patriotic medley. Pastor Tom Hess, gave the Invocation and told of the importance of the cornerstone during biblical times. Junior Girl Scout Troop #3041, and leader Tammy Withers, presented the American and West Virginia Flags. ( 10) When Wendy Mitchell sang the National Anthem, with Eric Fithyan, ( 11) accompanist, there was a fly-over by the Wheeling Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol. Pilots were Col. Bernard E. Dalton, Commander, Robert C. Beatty, Vice Commander. The American Flag was lowered and raised by Bob Lewark, Commander of the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad, followed by a gun salute. A former prisoner of was, Edward Jackfert, led the Pledge of Allegiance and presented a painting of Colin Kelly and his Crew on Dec 20, 1941 to the Brooke County Public Library. To welcome everyone was The Honorable Roy E. Givens, WV House of Delegates. ( 12) Givens was responsible for securing several grants for the library's expansion project on the local and state levels. Remarks were made by The Honorable John Casinelli, President, Brooke County County Commission; Mayor Steven Mitchell ( 13) of Wellsburg; Mayor Anthony Paesano ( 14) of Follansbee; and Delbert "Duke" Horstemeyer, ( 15) Commissioner, District 1, West Virginia Library Commission. Elmer H. Vincent, President of the BCPL, Board of Trustees, made a formal request of the Grand Lodge to lay the cornerstone ( 16) ( 17). "Let there be Peace on Earth" was sung by Heather R. Johnson and Eric L. Fithyan. Musical talents participating in the Laying of the Cornerstone ceremony were exceptional. Citizens of Brooke County can be proud of their local singers and musicians. Conclusion by Grand Orator, G. Glenwood Brown, Past Grand Master, and Grand Chaplain Charles F. Coleman, P.T., made for a memorable and historic day in Wellsburg, WV. I, and members of the BCPL Board of Trustees, respectfully offer thanks to the Honorable Frank Haas for the many long hours, days and weeks that he devoted to the specifics of the ceremony. To Seba T. Anderson, Past Grand Master, for his significant role in the pursuit of this library project; to all the Masons who participated in the Laying of the Cornerstone on Saturday July 20, 2002. The granite stone, donated by the Wellsburg Masonic Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M., is a remembrance of the significant contributions made by those men who supported the cause of the Fraternal Order. Special thanks to Board President, Elmer H. Vincent, who spent countless days on the expansion project, and devoted a quarter of a century to library operations. Many thanks to pastor Tom Hess of the Wellsburg Christian Church for his meaningful invocation. To local and state politicians and representatives, especially Delegate Roy Givens and Commissioner Norm Schwertfeger, we give special thanks for securing funding for the new addition. To our local mayors for their remarks during the ceremony and our representative from the W V Library Commission, Duke Horstemeyer, I give thanks for his kinds words and support of library services Special thanks to our many dedicated volunteers who hosted the reception after the ceremony: Marilyn McCord, Brooke County Adult Literacy; Gwen Hubbard and Bobbie Elliott, Brooke County Genealogy; Ruby Greathouse; Dr Ruth Lewis, Frances Jacobs and other Brooke County Public Library Friends. Special thanks to Janice Stewart, Kiwanis; Kevin McCausland, Mike Gillen, Barb and co-workers of Aladdin Food Service; Brooke County Board of Trustees; Steve Martino, Advance Financial Savings; James Black of Wheeling (PA system); Reasner Funeral Home; Chambers Funeral Home; and BCPL employees for their many hours of devoted service. I thank James Hartzer, Project Assistant, for transporting the stone, and Kevin Felton, Construction Manager for Harry Harry W. Trushel Construction Co. for preparation of the stone. To our project engineer consultant for the BCPL, David Hubbard, the Board of Trustees and I value your professional judgment. Many thanks for our local junior Girl Scout troop # 3041, and leader Tammy Withers; members of the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad; and to Edward Jackfert, former POW, who led the Pledge of Allegiance and donated a valued WWII To pilots participating in the fly-over, Col. Bernard E. Dalton, Commander, and Robert C. Beatty, Vice Commander, we thank you. To my husband J.W. George Wallace, I think him for his professional coverage of the event and the contribution of his musical talent. To all members of the Wellsburg Christian Church Choir, local vocalists and accompanists; and the Presbyterian Church for the loan of the electric keyboard, I thank you. To my son, also a Mason, Trooper Eric P. Sipes, of the PA State Police, I give thanks for his thoughtful donation. To Steubenville and Wheeling Newspapers and local TV stations, we extend our thanks. To local merchants, organizations and Masons, we especially thank you for the many resource materials for the time capsule. Barbara and Ralph Lucas deserve our very special thanks for their assistance in the purchase of the adjoining property for the library's new addition s/s Mary Kay Wallace- Director- Brooke county public libraries

•Benediction: - Rev. Steven L. Seng,Wellsburg Presbyterian Church •Refreshments - River Room, Brooke County Public Library •Hosts: ◦Brooke County Public Library Friends of the Library ◦Brooke County Adult Literacy Council ◦ Brooke County Genealogy Society ◦Brooke County Public Library Staff